Landry Fields hasn’t been a Raptor long enough for anyone to claim a definitive stance on his place with the team. But through the first four games of Toronto’s season, it’s impressive that Dwane Casey has been able to stomach Fields’ play for roughly 22 minutes a night. The Raps are short on alternatives, but further down in the depth chart is the No. 8 overall pick, Terrence Ross. Ross waits behind Fields, DeMar DeRozan and Alan Anderson for whatever few minutes of playing time go unclaimed, and with none of those three making a steadfast claim for a featured role, a theoretical opening for Ross remains.

Based on what we saw of Ross’ game in preseason and at the Vegas Summer League, there’s plenty of reason to start him off slow. But he may already be a better wing defender than DeRozan, and a more useful offensive player than Anderson. That has to count for something, and with this Raptors team so badly in need of some kind of consistent production from either wing position, Ross should be afforded the opportunity to try his hand against pro competition.

Blame it on fields. Casey keeps playing Fields even though hes playing like a high schooler... I don't get it. A reporter should ask Casey why he keeps giving minutes to Fields, he hasn't proved anything or earned anything.

Over 400 games played for Bargs and still has a lot of people making excuses for him.

3 games played for Fields and people want to DNP him lol.

Mehhh, i've never made many excuses for Bargs, especially the last three seasons. Even last season i said i didn't believe the hype. As for Landry, unless he starts to show progress he has to go to the bench imo. I was kind of excited about Fields but i gotta tell you, i have never seen a player so inept and i'm totally serious here. The man has trouble with easy bunnies at the rim. Maybe coming off the bench would help him a little because right now he looks nervous, he gets the ball and looks like someone that just wants to give it to someone else so he doesn't screw up. He appears to be playing afraid.

He tries to defend Fields by changing the topic to Bargs. Not working...both suck, but Fields sucks on so many more levels.

Both are weak links, but Andrea is way more talented than Fields. Andrea is capable of more, Fields is not.

Fields is a scrub lacking so many FUNDAMENTAL basketball skills/talent. Even in Fields' best year (rookie), he wasn't that great (just solid). He still always looked awkward on the court like he didn't belong. I understand that he's here now and there's nothing we can do about it. But you should try to get it through your brain that he does not belong on this team, let alone in the NBA. I pray he proves me wrong, but I doubt it'll happen.

Over 400 games played for Bargs and still has a lot of people making excuses for him.

3 games played for Fields and people want to DNP him lol.

i'll take the bait. Difference between Fields and Bargnani is that one has talent and one doesn't. Even when Bargnani isn't 'on' he can still make a shot, he can still do something on offense. When he is 'on' he's damn impressive. and then you have a guy like Fields who lacks most of the natural talent a guy like Bargnani has. Beyond the effort there just isn't much there. He simply doesn't have the talent. he's the glueguy like everyone here says and that's something i find so hilarious it's sad. The things he does should be done by a seasoned vet making chump change by NBA standards.... Glue guy. That's basically the nice way of putting he's not really good at anything, but the teammates like him.

This position is fucked up. I don't think Ross should start. More minutes yes, but he needs to learn at the right pace. Throwing him to the wolves won't do much good if you ask me.

i'll take the bait. Difference between Fields and Bargnani is that one has talent and one doesn't. Even when Bargnani isn't 'on' he can still make a shot, he can still do something on offense. When he is 'on' he's damn impressive. and then you have a guy like Fields who lacks most of the natural talent a guy like Bargnani has. Beyond the effort there just isn't much there. He simply doesn't have the talent. he's the glueguy like everyone here says and that's something i find so hilarious it's sad. The things he does should be done by a seasoned vet making chump change by NBA standards.... Glue guy. That's basically the nice way of putting he's not really good at anything, but the teammates like him.

This position is fucked up. I don't think Ross should start. More minutes yes, but he needs to learn at the right pace. Throwing him to the wolves won't do much good if you ask me.

Those are the 2 things i've been preaching since we got him. THANK YOU. Everyone should stop making excuses for this guy. Let him come off the bench. Maybe gain some confidence back so he can be at best just below mediocre at everything

Idk why people are even surprised fields is still gets minutes, last year Butler was on a mission to make us lose games and he still played a shit load. Casey's rotations have always been terrible, especially for our young guys like Ross and Ed.

We're playing a dude that was signed in some idiotic attempt to land Nash, and not playing the dude that was our reward for sucking last season, and drafted to address particular aspects of the suckitude. What a terrible situation for both players, and a coach who says he intends to let the players decide playing time, but clearly has his hands tied at this point. We need to focus our gaze on BC and not let him shirk his moronic off-season winging it approach. You don't hand out big contracts to players that played their way to minimum contracts, and offer them promises of a big role while trotting them out in public relations vehicles as an exciting new acquisition. Not without paying a price. This is a big first test for the new ownership. If BC doesn't find a suitable solution to this clusterfuck, then the new bosses need to hold him accountable and have him face a very different, albeit sane, situation regarding his new contract than that faced by Fields. If this problem hangs over the team for far too long, then there should be no reason to renew. And Stefanski can go as well - there's no reason he should get away with being the next shirker in line.

Atleast BC still brought in Lowry and JV. The PG and C spot are looking promising after a long time. This team is still a good SF away from being a solid team and the thing is Fields brings nothing to the starting lineup which is hurting this team the most. Kleiza isn't the answer either, Anderson's a stopgap.

Hopefully BC can get something done with Calderon's expiring, maybe a couple games in the starting lineup will help raise his trade value.

Idk why people are even surprised fields is still gets minutes, last year Butler was on a mission to make us lose games and he still played a shit load. Casey's rotations have always been terrible, especially for our young guys like Ross and Ed.

To be fair, Ed sucked last year and didn't deserve more. Ross, well, he's played 4 NBA games so that's not a good example. If Ed was more consistent he would be getting a lot of burn and Ross, well, same thing for him.

Fields.....such enigma to me at the moment. I would like to harp on the fact that he's a SG and definitely not a SF and should never have been played in that position and that's the major point causing his issue but it's not. Problem is since he can't shoot worth shit right now so he's not good for either position. He has the skills to be at minimum, competent. I have no idea but whatever happened last year has completely derailed his confidence. I don't recall ever seeing a decent college player turned NBA'er turned rookie all star turned shit in less than a year. Change of scenario, new team mates, was hoping for a bounce back year but hey, it's been 4 games. Casey's been feeding him down low and at some point LF should start scoring or at the very least get fouled and shoot free throws; if not then bench but the Raps have invested 6-1/4mil per, he won't go to the bench for at least 15-20 games.

We're playing a dude that was signed in some idiotic attempt to land Nash, and not playing the dude that was our reward for sucking last season, and drafted to address particular aspects of the suckitude. What a terrible situation for both players, and a coach who says he intends to let the players decide playing time, but clearly has his hands tied at this point. We need to focus our gaze on BC and not let him shirk his moronic off-season winging it approach. You don't hand out big contracts to players that played their way to minimum contracts, and offer them promises of a big role while trotting them out in public relations vehicles as an exciting new acquisition. Not without paying a price. This is a big first test for the new ownership. If BC doesn't find a suitable solution to this clusterfuck, then the new bosses need to hold him accountable and have him face a very different, albeit sane, situation regarding his new contract than that faced by Fields. If this problem hangs over the team for far too long, then there should be no reason to renew. And Stefanski can go as well - there's no reason he should get away with being the next shirker in line.

We're playing a dude that was signed in some idiotic attempt to land Nash, and not playing the dude that was our reward for sucking last season, and drafted to address particular aspects of the suckitude. What a terrible situation for both players, and a coach who says he intends to let the players decide playing time, but clearly has his hands tied at this point. We need to focus our gaze on BC and not let him shirk his moronic off-season winging it approach. You don't hand out big contracts to players that played their way to minimum contracts, and offer them promises of a big role while trotting them out in public relations vehicles as an exciting new acquisition. Not without paying a price. This is a big first test for the new ownership. If BC doesn't find a suitable solution to this clusterfuck, then the new bosses need to hold him accountable and have him face a very different, albeit sane, situation regarding his new contract than that faced by Fields. If this problem hangs over the team for far too long, then there should be no reason to renew. And Stefanski can go as well - there's no reason he should get away with being the next shirker in line.

You're speaking under the assumption that ownership didn't sign off on the Nash chase and the LF move in the first place. Makes much more sense for ownership to push for Nash first (as much for the SAME reason as Houston chasing and overpaying for Lin). IMO, Lowry came too quick after the Nash experience fell apart. The deal seems to me to have been more than discussed before this Nash shit went down and side tracked everything.